Monday, 25 September 2017

ZIMBABWE’S economic crisis is at its worst in years after
panicking citizens hoarded commodities and left supermarket shelves empty in
recent days.

Alarmed buyers bought goods in bulk after unspecified
reports of impending goods shortages in a country ravaged over the years by
drought and cash shortages.

The resultant shortages have resuscitated the parallel
market, with prices of commodities more than doubling, thereby evoking memories
of 2008 when the country hit rock bottom with inflation of 79,6 billion percent
and the demise of the Zimbabwean dollar.

Without its currency, the Southern African country has
relied mostly on the United States Dollar and South African Rand.

The current crisis has led to the re-emergence of the
parallel market for these currencies, which are preferred to the so-called bond
notes. Fuel shortage has resurfaced with long and winding queues
being order of the day in the capital Harare.

Rebounding economic woes are projected to pile pressure on
President Robert Mugabe’s administration ahead of elections set for early 2018.

“The only salvation left for Zimbabweans is to vote Mugabe
and his violent wife Grace out. Otherwise there is nothing left for Zimbabwe,”
fumed foreign currency dealer, Chipo Gwidi.

Mugabe (93) and Zanu-PF, in power since independence in
1980, are accused of wrecking arguably Africa’s most vibrant economy through
corruption and partisan policies.

“Social media messages that are circulating and suggesting
there are going to be shortages of basic commodities in Zimbabwe are false and
malicious,” Mangudya said.

Home Affairs minister Ignatious Chombo, who is also Zanu PF
secretary for administration threatened the local media and individuals posting
information regarding basic commodity shortages in the country.

“The Ministry of Home Affairs’ attention has been drawn to
a sudden spate of irresponsible press and social media reports falsely claiming
that there is chaos in the currency markets that has precipitated widespread
panic buying of basic commodities due to their alleged shortage or skyrocketing
prices.

“Of grave concern to the ministry is that these reports
have all trappings of a politically coordinated criminal agenda by some well
known renegades and malcontents who now seek to disturb the peace in the
country to cause alarm and despondency in pursuit of an alleged political
agenda,” Chombo said.

He added: “It is a criminal offence and is therefore
punishable. In the circumstances, Government is closely monitoring the press
and social media reports in question with a view to taking decisive action to
deal a telling blow to the perpetrators of the crime in terms of the law of the
country[s criminal justice system.”